Dark Matters with Dr. Shemena

Send us Fan Mail Being seen sounds simple until you realize how many of us have built our entire lives around not being fully known. We talk about the question that sits underneath so much emotional pain: “Do you really get me?” and what it does to a person when the answer has been unclear for years. This conversation is for anyone who looks fine on the outside, functions well, and still feels lon...

Send us Fan Mail We look at how us-versus-them thinking becomes a cultural habit that quietly harms our mental health and our relationships. IDr. Shemena discusses how fear and vulnerability often sit under anger and certainty, and how making room for nuance restores compassion, critical thinking, and connection.  Come back often and make sure you subscribe, rate, and review because I’d love to he...

Send us Fan Mail We explore the “other AI” shaping daily life, where artificial intimacy and instant response can feel like care. We ask what it does to attachment, emotional growth, and real connection when comfort becomes a frictionless product.   You can find me at https://shemenajohnson.com. All the links to where you can find me are in the show summary. Come back often and make sure you subsc...

Send us Fan Mail In this reflective Mother’s Day episode, Dr. Shemena explores the complicated terrain of mothering, estrangement, grief, and love. Through the lens of the therapy room and her own lived experience, she considers what it means to carry both gratitude and loss, to honor mothers who tried imperfectly, and to make space for those for whom Mother’s Day is tender, quiet, or painful. Thi...

Send us Fan Mail What drives us to excel, and when does that drive become destructive? Join us as we dissect the factors influencing competitive behavior, such as self-esteem, social comparison, and the quest for recognition. You'll learn to identify the fine line between healthy striving and toxic competition, gaining insights that are vital for personal and professional growth. Get in touch...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could turn the chaos of your emotions into a powerful tool for personal growth? Join me, Dr. Shemena, in this episode of Dark Matters as we explore the transformative potential of deeply understanding and making meaning of our feelings and thoughts. Listen as we dissect the effects of disavowing our emotions whether influenced by family dynamics, cultural expectations,...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Dark Matters, we'll uncover how childhood experiences, from deep-seated trauma to family dynamics, cast long shadows over our adult lives. Our conversation will examine how unspoken pain can distort our life's compass and how recognizing the "unnamed pain" can illuminate the path to self-awareness and growth.  So, grab yourself a pen and pape...

Send us Fan Mail This is the introduction to a new series, "Breaking Through." In this series, Dr. Shemena will discuss the intricate patterns that shape our emotional landscape and help guide you toward breakthroughs for a more authentic self. Stay tuned ... Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Tweet me at @ShemenaJohnson ·        Follow me on IG at @DrShemenaJohnson ·        Email me...

Send us Fan Mail I'm back, not just to apologize, but to take you along this path of enhanced self-awareness. This new year, I'm thrilled to announce a lineup of discussions designed to liberate us from the unhealthy cycles that hold us back. A special series dedicated to men and masculinity will also be featured, where we'll explore the complexities of male psychology and patterns...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered why joy, the most precious emotion, often seems so elusive? Join me as I discuss the emotion of joy, its core essence, and how we can cultivate more of this beautiful emotion in our lives. Drawing from my personal experience and insights from my practice, I'll guide you with practical tips, compassionate understanding, and a healthy dose of empowerment to inspir...

Send us Fan Mail What if your idea of love is actually an addiction? Dr. Shemena helps us understand how individuals with deep-seated insecurities and fears of intimacy can fall into a pattern of seeking perfection and adulation in their partners, becoming addicted to the euphoria of love rather than experiencing its genuine depth.  This episode is for anyone seeking to transform their relationshi...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever caught yourself overeating or talking excessively to keep uncomfortable feelings at bay? What if there's a way to confront these defense mechanisms head on and reclaim your psychological freedom? Let's traverse the labyrinth of the mind together in this episode where Dr. Shemena takes you through the fascinating concepts of repression and resistance. We&apo...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine you walked into McDonald's and asked for a lobster, only to be disappointed when they served you a hamburger. Sounds absurd, right? But what if I told you that's exactly how some of us approach our relationships? Listen in as Dr. Shemena shares an illuminating perspective on expectations in relationships.  Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Tweet me at @Sheme...

Send us Fan Mail Ever feel like you're drowning in your own emotions? That's where we're heading today on Dark Matters. I'm your host, Dr. Shemena Johnson, ready to guide you showing you that it's okay, even essential, to acknowledge and express what's churning inside. We'll tackle how our mental health is often linked to our ability to process and articulate our...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt that relentless hurricane of thoughts and emotions during a panic attack or intense anxiety? Join me, Dr. Shemena, in this episode of Dark Matters, where we dive into the world of anxiety and the power of mindfulness. Discover how childhood fears can follow us into adulthood and how taking a moment to reflect on our responses can lead to growth and freedom. Get...

Send us Fan Mail What does it truly mean to love, and how do we express this complex emotion in our lives? Join me in this thought-provoking episode as we explore the various ways we experience love -- from the simple enjoyment of pizza to the deep emotional connections we have with our romantic partners and family members. Dr. Shemena challenges you to think deeply about your own experiences with...

Send us Fan Mail One of the cornerstones of psychological health is the ability to separate-individuate from our parents. It's a difficult journey, but an empowering one in accepting one's own Self, with a capital S. Listen in to Dr. Shemena discuss this important phase of development and share her personal experience. Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Tweet me at @ShemenaJohnson · ...

Send us Fan Mail Understanding impostor syndrome is the first step toward overcoming it. Listen in to Dr. Shemena discuss the why behind this nagging -- but untrue -- belief and how to take steps forward to overcome it.  Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Tweet me at @ShemenaJohnson ·        Follow me on IG at @DrShemenaJohnson ·        Email me at info@shemenajohnson.com   Thank you for liste...

Send us Fan Mail Building trust in a relationship requires taking risks. Taking risks can show you that your partner is not the same as those from your past who hurt you.  It can also help you grow into a better partner. Listen to Dr. Shemena discuss how taking risks helps build trust in your relationship. Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Tweet me at @ShemenaJohnson ·        Follow me on IG...

Send us Fan Mail A new year brings a desire for change, growth, more structure – overall, new beginnings. And, in the first month, we aim to get a handle on the remaining months that will follow. But, a more practical new year's idea is about finding the balance between the two structures that ground and motivate you. Listen in as Dr. Shemena discusses her ideas on finding balance in the new...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt depressed? Did you know that unprocessed and unexpressed anger can lead to depression? Depression can be understood as a verb, to depress one's feelings. Listen to Dr. Shemena discuss the variations of depression and how emotional expression can be the cure.  Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Tweet me at @ShemenaJohnson ·        Follow me on IG at @DrS...

Send us Fan Mail What's happening with men these days?  The central conundrum is simply this, women across the board want more emotional intimacy from their men than most boys and men have been raised to deliver. Men are struggling. Listen to Dr. Shemena discuss how men can start to think about themselves and vulnerability.  Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Tweet me at @ShemenaJohnson ·...

Send us Fan Mail The best way to be heard is to learn how to listen well. When partners feel understood it changes the tenor of conflict and relaxes the conversation. Listen in to Dr. Shemena discuss a few techniques on how to listen well in relationships. Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·        Tweet me at @ShemenaJohnson ·        Follow me on IG at @DrShemenaJohnson ·        Email me at info@shem...

Send us Fan Mail Learning how to communicate well in relationships is a skill because how we think in this regard is a window into our psychology. There is an upset, complaint, a grievance and you want to convey that to the other person. And yet, often times these kinds of communications become difficult. Listen to Dr. Shemena discuss how your own psychology can play an important role and what to...

Send us Fan Mail These last two years, even the last two weeks have been a lot! From pandemic stress and grief to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The range of emotions that you may be feeling can seem stressful and overwhelming. That's why I want to symbolically create some space for you to breathe. Don't deny yourself the ability to feel and self-soothe.  Get in touch with Dr. Shemena ·...